Electric route indicating and lighting system.



A. BLACKMORE.

ELECTRIC ROUTE INDICATING AND LIGHTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1, I916.

PLtented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I A. BLACKMORE.

ELECTRHJ ROUTE INDICATING AND LIGHTING SYSEM.

APPLiCATiON FILED ocTJ. I916.

121 9,230. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS SHEET I.v

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A. BLACKMURE. ELECTRIC ROUTE INDICATING AND LIGHTING SYSTH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 7. I916.

1 ,21 9,230. I Patented Mair. 13, 1917.

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Application filed Dctober 7, 1916. Serial No. 124 ,426.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Lehman!) BLAOKMORE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and residing at 5 Montpelier mreet, Kensington, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improve: ments in Electric Route Indicating and Lighting Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to indicating and lighting systems. It is the object of the invention to provide electric indicating and lighting apparatus adapted to ,be controlled by means of switches, so that when a switch adjacent the name of a place, a room, a department, a building, a railway station or the like is operated, electric lamps will be lighted either to show on a board the position of the desired place and the route by which it can be reached, or actually to light up the route to the place, as for instance in the corridors of a large building, or to perform both of these functions.

As applied for instance to a large selling establishment or store, it may be desired to provide in suitable positions, indicators showing for example the way to reach other departments in the building from the department where the person desiring information may be at the time. It is required then that the person shall only have to 0p crate a switch or push button adjacent the name of the department, in order to see on a plan the route of that department illuminated and the department itself indicated.

Some further applications of the invention will be described hereinafter, but the above will he suflicient to indicate its principal objects and to enable explanations of some examples of constructions for carrying the invention into effect to be understood. It will be easier then to describe further applications of the invention while indicating how the construction might be modified to adapt them to particular purposes.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows the casing of an apparatus partly open, this apparatus being a small route indicator of the type herein after explained.

Fig. 2 shows a portion of the casing of Fig. 1 with the front removed.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing one arrangement of the electric circuits for a system op erating according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a diigram showing a modified arrangement of the electric circuits.

Fig. 5 is a partial diagram showing a further modification.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another arrangemen-t.

Fig. 7 circuits in the system according to Fig. 3.

Figs 8 and 9 a re front views of a releasetiming and sWit ch-loclring mechanism, in two positions.

Fig. 19 shows in section a portion of the device shown. in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a frc nt view, and

Fig. 12 is a side view of a switch mechanism operated by a solenoid, as used in the apparatus.

Fig. 13 shows a modified construction thereof in front efevation.

In the construcion'shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a casing 1 is provided having a row of electric switches at 2, a row of panels at 3 beside the same, and a compartment at 4; for the electrically co itrolled switches forming part of the device. The front of the compartment 4 is removed in Fig. l to show the switch mechanism arranged therein. The panels at 3 are intended to contain indications as to the names of the departments associated with the particular switches, and they may be perma aently illumined by lamps from behind ,for ex ample. The whole of the space to the right of the panels 3 is occupied by a diagrarr marked for instance on a ground glass plate 5, showing a plan of the store or the like for which the indicator is used, and the rortes to be taken for reaching the particular departments. Behind the plate 5 electric lamps 6 and 7 are arranged in compartments in the casing so as to ilhum nate portions of the surface of the plate 5 as required. In the example shown by comparison of Figs. l and 2 the following will be noted: Letters A B L have been marked on circles or other figures on the front of the glass p late 5 and corresponding compartments containing lamps 6 in Fig. 2 have been similarly lettered. The letter A represents a staircase for example; the lettors B and C represent departments of the store. The letter D represents a lift, E another department, li another staircase and G another department. All of these lie along shows a further modification of the i one line of route from a starting point L Where the indicator is supposed to be placed. Along another line of route are departments ll to K. Each of the panels 3 beside a switch in column 2 is lettered to correspond with one of the departments, staircases or the like. In practice insteadof the letters there might be inscribed on the panels 3 and at the required places on the glass plate 5 usually the name of the department in question, or the words Staircase, Lift, and so forth. Where the words Staircase, Lift and so forth are marked there might also be other words indicating in general terms the range of departments to be reached by each such staircase or lift. The departments on the panels 3 are not necesarily in the same order as n the glass plate 5, but they may be in 12l1'.)l1:1l.Cl iCH-l or any other order as is most convenient. It is a simple matter to connect up their switches in column 2 1n the proper rireuits however they may be arranged.

titarting from the station L the portion of the route to be taken corresponding to each of the departments A, 13, etc., is lettered with a corresponding small letter a, 5, etc, and in the plan, Fig. 2, with the glass plate removed it is seen that there is a compartment con taiuing a lamp 7 for illuminating also each such portion of the route. It may be assumed that the glass plate 5 is blackened over except for the circles and so forth showing departments and for the tracks indicating the routes to be taken. The space L is supposed to be permanently illuminated, but the spaces A to K are only illuminated when the corresponding switch in the column l-adjacent the correspondingly lettered panel is operated. The principal feature of the invention then is the arrangement whereby when any such switch is operated the portion of the route to be taken to reach the department in question is automatically illumined. The automatic switching mechanism consists essentially of the switches operated by solenoids as indi cated in the compartments 4, and these will be descrihed more in detail hereinafter.

It will be convenient next to consider the I arrangement of the electric circuits to attain the desired result. The electric lamps 6 for illuminating departments may be referred to for convenience as department lamps" while the lamps 7 may be referred to as route lamps. In the plan, Fig. 1, the route lines are supposed to indicate approxima tely in the proper outline, the arangement and directions of passageways, corridors and the like for reaching any particular department or stairway, and the particular form of the plan will vary with each installation. The principles involved however in the arrangement of the electric circuits will always be the same, so that the diagrams shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 will suffice to indicate the arrangements for any practical application of the invention.

Referring first to. Fig. 3, leads 8 and 9 connected to opposite terminals of a source of electric current are indicated, the voltage being anything suitable for operating with electric lamps. From the lead 8 are branched off wires forming connections to the department lamps 6 and the route lamps 7 of the respective departments. The wires beyond the lamps 6 and 7 are carried to the contacts of double-pole switches 10, the switch members themselves being permanently connected to the lead 9. Each switch has two contact arms normally off their contacts (as shown for most of the switches in Fi g. 3) but adapted when operated to connect the wires of both the department lamp 6 and the route lamp 7 to the return lead 9. The wire from each route lamp (except the last in a series) is also carried to the contact of another switch operated by a solenoid 11. T here is such a solenoid in circuit with each of the route lamps 7, except the first in the series. The first route lamp 7 has its wire connected directly to the contact of the first switch 10 as shown. Each solenoid when operated pulls up a contact member 12 closing the circuit of the next route lamp nearer to the left hand side, directly to the return lead 9, without passing through the contacts of its switch 10.

F ig, 3 shows the fifth of the switches 10 as being closed. This might correspond for instance with the fifth switch in the column 2 of Fig. 1. When this switch is closed its corresponding department lamp 6 is imme diately illumined, as is also its route lamp 7 through the winding of the corresponding solenoid 11. No other department lamp is illumined as no other switch 10 is operated. If it is the department E, Fig. 1, which is illumined for example, the portion of the route marked c will also be illumined. The solenoid 11 pulls up.its contact maker 12 closing the circuit of the next route lamp 7 toward the left through the next solenoid winding. The route lamp (Z is thus illumined. Similarly the solenoid in circuit with the route lamp (1 operates its contact maker 12 to close the circuit of the next route lamp, and so on backwardly until all the route lamps c, b and a are illumined. It will be 1 seen that the route is lighted up backwardly from the department to be reached to the starting point, but this is a matter of no great consequence, the principal point being to insure that the proper route is illumined, when a single switch is operated.

Two departments may branch off sometimes, say one at each side of a corridor at the same point in a route. In this case the one route lamp may serve for both, though the extra department will have its own department lamp 6. This is indicated at one place in Fig. 3, an extra switch marked 13 being provided which when operated closes the circuit of the extra department lamp 6 and at the same time closes the circuit of the route lamp 7 of the department on the other side of the corridor. When the switch 13 is closed therefore, the sequence of Operations is just the same as if the switch 10 of the preceding department had been closed.

When a switch 10 or 13 which has been closed, is opened again, it breaks the circuit both of the corresponding department In mp and the corresponding route lamp, and at the same time the solenoid in circuit with that route lamp is deiinergi-zed so that its contact maker 12 drops, breaking thecircuit of the previous route lamp in the series, and the route lamps are thus extinguished successively.

The route may branch at a wrtain point into two separate routes leading to different departments; This also is provided for in Fi g. 3, the route being branched at the right hand side both in the leads 8 and 9, and in the connections of the last solenoid 11 in the main to the contacts of the first solenoids in the branch routes. The numbers 8 and -9 are retained .for the supply. and return leads of both branches, If the switch 10 corresponding to a department in either of the branches is operated, its lamp 6 and route lamp 7 are illumined at once and the circuits of the route lamps backwardly in the series along the branch, and then along the mainroute back to the starting point, are also illumined precisely in the manner described above.

The contact maker 12 ope-rated by the first solenoid in the branch closes the circuit 11 of the last solenoid in the main route before the branch, and none of the route lamps in the. other branch are affected.

With a few modifications of the arrangement it is possible to make the system such that the route lamps are illumined forwardly from the starting point up to the department which is to be reached. Fig. 4 showssuch an arrangement. Thedepartment lamps are numbered 6 and the route lamps numbered 7 as before, while the supply leads are also numbered 8 and 9 respectively. Inthis example all the department lamps 6 are connected on the one hand through a wire 14: and a solenoid 1.5 to the return lead 9, but they are not permanently connected to the supply lead 8. Switches 16 (and 19) are provided which in their normal positions rest on back contacts and form part of the circuit of the supply lead 8, but which when turned as is shown for the sixth switch from the left hand end in Fig. 4, serve to break the continuity of the supply lead 8 toward the right hand thereof and to close the circuit of one of the department lamps 6. The route lamps 7 are permanently connected to the supply lead 8 on the one hand, and are connected on the other hand to the coils of solenoids 17, the circuit of each such solenoid 17 being adapted to be closed by the contact maker 18 of the preceding solenoid in the circuit. Tle solenoid 15 already mentioned operates the first contact maker 18 to close the circuit of the first department lamp 7 and the first of the solenoids 17 in the series.

In order to fol. ow What occurs when one of the switches is closed in this case, we may note the sequence of operations when tlre sixth switch (16) is closed as shown in Fig. 1. The sixth department lamp (3 is at once illum ned and the solenoid 15 is energized draw ng up its contact maker 18. This closes the circuit of the first route lamp 7 between the supp .y and return leads 8 and 9. The solenoid [7 in connection with the first route lamp 7 is also energized, drawing up its contact maker 18, and so closing the circuit of the ne it solenoid and the next routelamp 7 in the series. In the same way the clrcuits of the route lamps are closed successively up to that of the route lamp corresponding wi1h the switch 16 which is closed. The sole acid of that route lamp draws up its .Qonta ct maker 18, but it cannot close the circuits of any route lamps fartimer to the right,'because their connection with the supply 16 ad 8 is already broken by the operation of the switch 16 of the department lamp in question. Hence the route lamps light up anti matically up to the department required, and they cannot light up any farther onward because of the breaking of the supply lead 8 at this point.

In Fig. 4 also :8 shown the insertion of one branch department (the fifth in the series) has-"mg a switch 19, but no separate route lamp. When the switch 19 is closed the route lamp 7 of the preceding department fourth in the series) is 'illu mined in its proper order as already described, but the ne xt route lamp farther toward the right cannot be illumined because of the breaking of the circuit by the turning of the sM itch 19. Only one such switch .19 and one extra department lamp are shown in the training in order to make it as simple as possible, but it will be obvious that any nu nber can be inserted be tween each route Lamp connection and the next, for use in cases where the one route lamp illumines the proper route to two or more departments, disposed for example at opposite sides of a passageway.

Fig. 4 also shows how this system can be operated when the route branches at a certain point. There is a little more diiiiculty here than in the system of Fig. 3, because the route lamps light up forwardly, and in the absence of some arrangement to the contrary therefore, they would light up antomatically along all the branching routes simultaneously. This trouble is easily avoided by the arrangement of the circuits as shown in Fig. 4. The supply lead 8 just after the branching point is carried down to the contacts of the contact maker of a solenoid 2-0, the solenoid being in the wire 14 of the other branch. If then for example, the first switch 16 in the upper of the two branches at the right hand side in Fig. 4 is moved to close the circuit of its department lamp 6, the circuit of its corresponding solenoid 20 is also completed, and the solenoid 20 draws up its contact maker breaking the continuity of the supply lead 8 in the other branch. As no switch 16 in the other branch is operated however, the solenoid 20 in the other branch is not energized, and it does not draw up its contact maker, so that the circuit of the supply lead 8 of the upper branch is not broken until it reaches the switch 16 which is operated. It must be assumed of course that only one switch 16 is operated at a time, whether in the main route or in branch routes, and mechanism for insuring this will be described hereinafter. For the moment it is sufficient to say that when any switch 16 in a branch is operated its corresponding route lamp is illumined, and the solenoid 15 at the start of the series is energized, so that the route lamps 7 along the main route are illumined until the branching point is reached; the contact maker 18 of the' last solenoid 17 before the branching occurs 'is connected in parallel to the first solenoid 17 of each branch, but current can only flow through the solenoid 17 of the branch in which one of the switches 16 has been operated, as the supply lead 8 of the other branch has been interrupted as already described, so that no route lamp on that branch can possibly light up. When the switch 16 or19 which has been closed on the contact of a department lamp is turned back to its normal position closing the circuit of the supply lead 8 beyond that point, its correspondin department lamp is extingulshed and the so eno1d 15 is deenergized. Its contact maker 18 therefore drops, breaking the circuit of the next solenoid 17 and the first route lamp 7, so that the route lamps are extinguished successively. W

The objection might be raised to the system of Fig. 4, that a considerable current passes through each of the switches 16 toward the-left hand endof the system when a switch a good way along toward the right is operated, and that there might be a heavy are formed it by some accident one of the earlier switches in the system was operated when a more distance switch had already been operated. Fig. 5 shows a modification designed to avoid this difliculty. The 011- cuits shown in Fig. 5 are the same as the principal route circuits in Fig. 4 except that each solenoid 17 except the first 1n the series, draws up a rod carrylnig two contact makers 18 and 21. Contact ma rer 18 operates as before, and its operation will need no description. When however, one of the switches 16 is closed, for example the fourth in the series as shown, the sequence of operations is as follows: The solenoid 15 operates to close the circuit of the first solenoid 17 and the first route lamp. The contact maker 18 of the second solenoid 17 closes the circuit of the second route lamp, and so on up to the route lamp associated with the switch 16 which is operated. The second solenoid 17, however, when operated also closes by its contact maker 21 a circuit between two wires 22 and 23 connected to the supply lead 8 at either side of the switch 16 of the first route lamp. The contact maker 21 of each of the subsequent solenoids closes similar connections when operated. If now for example, the first switch 16 in the series is opened accidentally to close the first route lamp 7 after the fourth switch in the series has been operated as shown, the contact maker 21 of the second solenoid 17 will serve to make a connection completing the circuit of the supply lead'8 independently of the first switch 16. Hence-there will be no are on the movement of said switch, and the illumination of the route up to the fourth department in the series is not'interfered with in spite of the closing of the circuit of the first route lamp also; The operation is the same of course for any of the other switches 16 up to the one whichwas first operated to close the circuit of a route lamp. The same system can be followed out for branch circuits, but it is not necessary to illustrate this.

Fig. 6 shows a further modified arrangement of circuits wherein a number of de partment lamps 6 and a number of route lamps 7 are arranged, all adapted to be connected on the one side through an automatic switch 48 to oneof the su ply leads 8. The other lead is marked 9 as before. The automatic switch 48 is operated by asolenoid 64. Each-of the department lamps 6 is in series with a solenoid 49 and is connected through this to one of the top contacts 50 of the switch operated by its solenoid, and also to the top and bottom contacts 51 and 52 of the next switch in the-series. The other bottom contact of each switch is marked 53. The first lamp at the left hand end in the dia gram is marked 5421s it represents for example the lamp at the starting point L of Figs. 1 and p 2 which is required to be illumined always when the apparatus is used. It has a solenoid 49 however, operating the switch similarly to the other department lamps 6. 55 represents an electric motor and train of reduction gearing, the motor being connected directly across the leads 8 and 9 so that it starts to work whenever the main switch 48 is closed. The train of gearing from the motor operates a contact breaker indicated diagrammatically at 56, serving to operate a switch 57 to break the connection between two conductors 58 and 59. A number of push buttons 60 are shown corresponding with the switches 10 of Fig. 3, but in this case the contact maker of each switch is connected to a lead 61 which in turn is connected to the return lead 9 through the bottom contacts 52, 53 of the switch operated by the first solenoid 49. Each push button 60 when pressed back closes against two other contacts, of which 62 is connected with the conductor 59 in each case, While 63 is connected with the winding of the cone spending solenoid 49, and the top contact of its switch. r

The operation with this form of circuit is as follows: When one of the push buttons 60 is pressed back, for example the third one from the left hand end as in Fig. 6, the current flows from the lead 8 through solenoid 64, causing it to close the main switch 48; the current fmm the solenoid 64 passes through the conductor 59; contact 62 and push button 69"W'l'1l0h is closed, lead 621, contacts 53, 52 of the switch operated" by the first solenoid 49 (whichis not atthe moment energized),- und so to the return lead 9. The motor *,always sto s in the position wherein the mntaet brew cer' $6 is holding open t he switch .57.; 'motor starts again immediately the switch. $8 is closed, and immediately after this the corn tact breaker releases the switch- 57 'so that the circuit of the'solenoid 6 1 controlling the switch 48 is closed independently o. the push button 60, through the-switch 57 and conductor 58. The motor with its reduction gearing is timed to run for any required interval of time from; afew seconds qup ward before its contact hreaker 56 opens the switch 57 again." The interval of time must be sufieient forthe indicator to be used and the route indicated upon it to be noted before the restoration of device to its initial position ready for the open tion of another push button. The push but ton need only be pressed backmomen tarily like a bell push, and thenireleasedi One of the circuits closedby the push hutton 60 which is operated has already been traced. At the same time however the push button 60 closes a circuit from the leaid 8 through the switch 48 which is now-closed, and the department lamp 6 corresponding to the push button operated; the current flows through the said lamp (land it's'solenoid 49 directly to the top contact 63' of the push button, and so to the return lead 61-. When the switch of the solenoid 49 is raised it closes thetop contacts '50, 51,- and current now flows through the lamp at the starting point on the diagram, through its solenoid 49, and through the" bottom contacts 52, 53 oi the switches operated by the solenoids of the intervening department to the conductor 58 in this case.

lumps, and so to the push button 60 which is pressed baclc. Immediately the solenoid at!) in series W ith the lamp 54 operates, its switch breaks l he contacts 52, 53, and closes the top contaits 50, 51 which provide the return circuit independently of the push button 60, through the conductor 58 to the return lead 9. The current through the depertinent lamp 6 and the lamp 554 will now flow through the top contacts 50, 51 of the first switch as stated, and current will also flow through the same contacts, in parallel through each of the route lamps 7 from the starting point up to the department lamp in question. No further route lamps in the system can be operated, as the connection is broken at the switch of the department lamp which is operated, and is raised against its top contacts.

Ultimately the switch 57 is opened by the contact bleakei 56, and as there is now no other circuit closed through the solenoid 64, the main switch 48 opens immediately. This causes any of the solenoids Q9 which are o erated, "o be de'nergiz-ecl allowing their switches io'fall, and the apparatus is restored to the normal position ready for a freshopel'etion. 1

f *It will be'notedthat when the a 'pcmtus has been operel ed for one required departmen t, 'no othei department lamp can be illumined until after the timed contact breaker operated by the" motor '55 has restored the parts to the normal, position. This is so because the switch of the sole- 100 noid 49" in series with the lamp 54 breaks the contact betvfeen 52 and 53, thus disconnecting'ithe retr I'll 61 leading from all the push buttons 60 to the return lead). This is =the'function' of the solenoiil'49 in series 105 with the lump 54, and if this function were not required, time lum '54 could be. con nected' in the same'flvlfay as all of the route lamps"? {are com .ected', that is to say directly "Whenever the" circuits are'branched as iss'hown for'exs mple-ot the right hand side of Fig. 6, all tlat is necessary in order to prevent the route lamps one branch from lighting up when a department lamp in another branch is i llumined, is to provide anelectrons-gm switch which will inter rupt the one cirz hit when the other is closed and vice versa; For example, in Fig. 6 each-of the branching leads 8 is shown as containing a solenoid 67 controlling a switch 68'whi'ch normally closes the lead 8 of the other branch cil cuit. When adepartment lamp 6 in one of the branches has its cireuit closed, it will be evident that the sole noid 67 in the lead 8 of that branehwill be energized a'nlthe lead 8 of the other branch will be interrupted, so that none of the lamps in the other branch can possibly'loe illuminel until the apparatus is are stored to its normal condition ready for a ing with Fig. 9, and it will be seen that the 'i'resh operation. projections 32 have nlorcd under the tum- Fig. 7 shows a. modification of the arrangen'ient of Fig. 3, differing only there from in that the department lamps 6 are all permanently connected in circuit so as to be illuminated so long as a main switch is closed, while single-pole switches 66 are used in place of the double-p0le switches 10 of Fig.3. The solenoids 11 and switches 12 operated thereby, may be the same as in Fig. 3. The operation as regards the illuminating of the route lamps 7 successively from the position corresponding to the switch operated (the third from the left here) back to the starting point, is the same as in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, a me chanical device is shown for interlocking the switches in column 2, Fig. 1, so that only one can be operated at a time, and for releasing the switches after an interval of time which can be predetermined. With such an arrangement if some one desiring to find the way to a particular department presses the switch corresponding to that department, and leaves the apparatus with that department and its route illumined on the plan, it will be impossible for anyone else to operate another switch on the indicator until after an interval of time, say half a minute, has elapsed and until the switch operated has been restored so as to leave the indicator darkened except for the department L where the person is supposed to be, which department may be permanently illumined on the indicator. Figs. 8, 9 and 10 indicate somewhat diagrammatically a suitable type of interlocking mechanism. 24 represents the switches having handles or knobs 25 on stems or tumblers which are pressed downwardly to close the switches. The tumblers of all the switches project through slots in a plate 26 sliding vertically in guides 27 and normally pulled upward by a spring 28. A plate 29 sliding transversely by means of wheels 30 working in guide tracks 31 is operated automatically on the downward movement of the plate 26so as to bring projections 32 on said plate 29 beneath the tumblers of the switches, and to prevent them from moving. In the example shown the plate 29 has rollers or pins 33 Working in grooves 34 in the plate 26, so arranged that as the plate 26 is pulled down the plate 29 at first does not move, but in the latter part of the downward movement of the plate 26, portions of the grooves 34 operating on the rollers or pins 33 will cause the plate 29 to move'toward the right. Fig. 8 shows the mechanism in its normal position, and Fig. 9 shows it after one of the switches for example the third from the top, has been pressed down to close its circuit. Fig. 10

i 65 shows the parts in the position correspondblers of all of the switches except the third one which has been operated, so locking all of such switches in the raised position. When the plate 26 is pulled downwardly a spring catch 35 engages with a projection 36 holding the plate 26 downwardly, and

locking the parts in the position of Fig. 9..

In order then to time the release of the mechanism a clockwork device- 37 is provided, this being shown only very diagrammatically as its construction forms no part of the present invention. The clockwork is of a type such that when wound up or released it automatically then stops. In the example shown the clockwork is wound by cord 38 connected to the plate 26 and passing over pulleys to the spring drum of the clock, the clockwork turning in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 8 and 9. When the plate 26 is pulled down therefore, the spring is wound up sufliciently to drive the clock for one turn. It is timed to make this turn in any required period of time, for example half a minute or a minute. Just before the end of that period a projection 39 on the moving member of the clockwork strikes up against the tail-piece of the spring catch 35 causing this catch to be released,- and allowing the plate 26 to be drawn up by its spring 28. The upward movement of the plate 26 automatically restores to its normal position the switch which was operated, for example the third switch in Fig. 10, while at the same time the plate 29 with its projections 32 will be moved to the left, so that the parts are restored to the position of Fig. 6. .This mechanism is only indicated very diagrammatically as any equivalent interlocking mechanism may be used, and all that is intended here-is to show some sort of mechanism which would fulfil the required purpose. The interlocking mechanism is not an essential feature of the invention, although for some purposes it may be considered essential to have some interlocking and release-timing mechanism in connection with the system; The cord 38 need not necessarily wind upthe clockwork,

but the clockwork may be wound up by hand at intervals, and the pulling of the cord 38 may serve simply to release the mechanism for the making of a single revolution at a time. Such points are obviously matters for is; clock maker and need not be gone into ere.

It is important that the switches operated by the solenoids should come into and out of action easily and should make good electrical contacts without appreciable frictional re sistance. Figs. 11 and 12 show a suitable construction for the purpose. A coil 11 of the solenoid draws up its core 40 through a short distance, usually about three-sixteenths makes one turn andof an inch. The core is connected by a ring joint to an insulator 46 from which is suspended a rod 41 sliding in guides 42 and 43. The contact maker is in the form of a coned disk 12 cotiperating with contact plates 44, the ends of which are bent inwardly as shown. The base block 45 is of insulating material. hen the solenoid is energized the rod ll with the disk 12 is drawn up, making a rubbing contact with the springy strips 44, and when the solenoid is deenergized the weight of the rod and disk combined with the downward pressure exerted by the spring strips 44 is suflicient to insure that the rod falls and that contact is broken.

In the modification shown in Fig. 13, the rod 11 slides through a block 47 of insulating material having the two spring tongues 44: secured one on each side thereof. These solenoids are indicated here as they are simple in form and compact so that a number thereof can be conveniently arranged in the casing as shown at the left hand side in Fig. 1. In any case either the spring action of the contact springs 44. may be relied on in conjunction w'th gravity to break the circuit when the solenoid is de'c nergized. In experimental apparatus it has been found that no additional springs should be needed as a rule. The solenoids or electro-magnets will close the contacts ofthe route lamps with a slight time-lag so that the appearance on the indicator is of an' arrow of light traveling along the route up to the desired department. Usually this will not be necessary however, as the normal operation of the solenoids gives the effect of a traveling arrow of light along the route to a sufiicient extent.

The circuit diagrams which have been illustra ted and described are intended to serve by way of example only, and many modifications might be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is desirable to avoid arranging two or more lamps in series as far as possible, and this has been avoided in the circuit diagrams described. In Figs. 4 and 5 each branch circuit through a lamp generally includes one solenoid. though in some cases for instance in the circuits of lamps 6 and 7, at the left hand end in Fig. 3 no solenoids are included. Again, in Fig. i where the circuits branch, additional solenoids 20 are inserted. In any case each solenoid or electromagnet as the case may be will only need to be wound to tal'e the current normally taken by a single lamp, and the same pattern of winding will serve for each solenoid in the sastcm. Solenoids or clectro-magnets are not necessarily arranged in a compartment of the casing 1, but they may be in a separate casing in any convenient position. Instead of lamps 7 as indicated in Fig. 2 illuminat ing compartments for the route sections,

lamps arranged on the hot-wire principle or quartz tubes may be used shaped to the form 3 of the casing nay be assumed to be coir tinuously illumii' ated from behind, the writing being on a ground glass plate or plates. This will generally be the most convenient arrangement as :he illuminated panels will draw attention to the device. The plan on plate 5 Fig. 1, may be somewhat diagrammatic as indicated or it may be an accurately drawn plan of the passages, dc mrtments and so forth in t 1e building, with a number of different floors indicated one above an other and the stiirways, lifts and so forth for reaching one floor from another would then form part of the route which would be illuinined to reach a particular department. -t is thought hiwever that the diagram shown in Fig. 1 will sufficiently illustrate the points whicl' arise so as to enable an apparatus to be constructed fulfilling any particular requirmnents without further explanet-ion .here.

The device hereinafter described is well adapted for use with a distant control switching apparatus such as is set forth in the specification or my Patent No. 870078 dated November 5th, 1907. The switches of such an apparz tus would then control the illumination of tile lamps of the indicator, or at least of the department lamps thereof, and the switches in the column 2 Fig. 1, could be simple switches of the bell-push type arranged in low potential circuits and controlling in the manner set forth in the specification of in prior patent. the switches of the dcpart-mcit lamps. The indicator could be at a considerable distance from the switches operated by hand, although it is generally most cc nvenient to arrange them' together. hen switches of the distant control type are used. the restoration thereof, after an interval in a very easy matter as .it is only necessary for the operating of any switch to' cause the closing of the circuit of a small motor driving a contact arm, as in Fig. 6, which aftei an interval closes another circuit giving a second current impulse; such second current impulse will then operate to throw bacl: the switch which was closed, by a method such as is set forth in the specification ot Patent No. 870078.

The invention is useful not only for lighting up indicator boards to show a route in a store or the like. It may be applied for instance to indica2ors on a railway system such as the underground railwa system of a city, to show the station and the route to be taken to reach it, for any particular well.

known establishment. A person finding himself at one station, and desiring to reach some establishment shown on the board, has only to operate a switch adjacent the name of the required establishment on a panel in order to light up the line of route which may involve changes from one line to another, by which the desired station can best be reached.

Again, the system can be used in a hotel or any building with corridors and rooms corresponding with the departments, in which case the route lamps could actually light up the corridors or the like leading to the desired room, and the department lamp might be a lamp with the name and number of the department or room thereon, which would light up outside such room so as to show when it was reached.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, and electro magnetic means controlled by each of said switches adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading from the starting point to the department correspoudins with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed automatically in sequence between the supply leads, without causing the circuits of any other department or route lamps in the system to be closed.

2. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed being adapted to close the circuitbetween the supply leads of its corresponding department lamp, and electromagnetic means controlled by each of said switches adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading from the starting point to the department corresponding with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed automatically in sequence between the supply leads. without causing the circuits of any other department or route lamps in the system to be closed.

3, In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of: a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed being ada ted'to close the circuit between the supp y leads of its corresponding department lamp, and means controlled by each of said switches adapted to close the circuit of a lamp at the starting point and adapted when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading from the starting point to the department corresponding with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed between the supply leads, without causing the circuits of any other route lamps in the system to be closed.

4. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or depart ment, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, and means controlled by each of said switches adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading iflOIfl the starting point to the department corresponding with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed between the supply leads, without causing the circuits of any other route lamps in the system to be closed, a timeeontrol device adapted to be operated consequent upon the closing of any of the said switches and adapted when set in operation to effect automatically after an interval of time the restoration of the system to its normal condition.

5. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed beingadapted to close the circuit between the supply leads of its corre sponding department lamp, and means controlled by each of said switches adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading from the starting point to the department correspending with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed between the supply leads, without causing the circuits of any other route lamps in the system to be closed, and means operated on the closing of any one of the switches adapted to prevent the closing of the circuit of another department lamp by any other of the switches until the system has been restored to its normal position ready for a fresh operation.

6'. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicatingthe route to be followed in reaching any place or department, in cases where the departments lie along a plurality of divergent routes, the

combination with the supply leads for the electric current diverging with the divergent routes of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of switches one corresponding to each department, each switch when operated being adapted to close the circuit of its corresponding department lamp, means controlled by each switch adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps lead ing from the starting point to the department corresponding with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed between the supply leads, without causing the circuits of route lamps beyond the said department to be closed, and a plurality of electro-magnetic switches each having its winding arranged in the circuit of the department lamps in one of the branching circuits, each such electro-magnetic switch being adapted when a department lamp in its corresponding branch is illumined, to break the circuits for the route lamps along the other branch.

7. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed being adapted to close the circuit between the supply leads of its corresponding department lamp, a plurality of electro mag netically operated switches, the coil of each of said switches being arranged in a clrcuit which is closed consequently upon the closing of the switch of a department lamp, while each such electro-magnetically operated switch serves when actuated to close the circuit whereby one or more route lamps are caused to be illumined according to the position of the selected department.

8. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed being adapted to close the circuit between the supply leads ofits corresponding department lamp, a plurality of electro-magnetically controlled switches one for each department lamp, the coil of each such switch being disposed in series with its correspondin department lamp and errcuit connections Imtween the contacts of said electro-magnetici ,lly controlled switches such that, when one (f said electro-magnetical ly controlled switches is operated, the circuit connections of all the route lamps from the starting point t) the selected department lamp are automatically closed.

9. In an electiic indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with thesupply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding'to each department, each of said switches when closed being adapted to close the circuit between the supply leads of its corresponding department lamp, a plurality of electromagnetically cortrolled switches one for each department lamp, the coil of each such switch being disposed in series with its corresponding department lamp and circuit connections between the contacts of said electro-magnetically controlled switches such that, when one of said electro-magnetically controlled switches is operated, the circuit connections of all the route lamps from the starting point to the selected department lamp are automatically closed, and an additional electro-nr. agnetic switch whose circuit'is closed whe i any of the other electromagnetic switches is operated, said additional switch serving to close the circuits of the selected dep irtment lamp and route lamps independently of the switch corresponding to the selected department lamp.

10. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reaching any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the elect ric current, of a set of department lamps, set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one corresponding to each department, each of said switches when closed being adapted to close the circuit be tween the supply leads of its corresponding department lamp, a plurality of electro-magnetically controlled switches one for each department lamp, the coil of each such switch being disposed in series with its corresponding department lamp and circuit connections betwe en the contacts of said electromagnetically controlled switches such that, when 01 .e of said electro-magnetically controlled sw itches is operated, the circuit connections 0: all the route lamps from the starting point to the selected department lamp are automatically closed, and an ad- 'ditional electro-mignetie switch whose circuit is closed whei. any of the other electro magnetic switches is operated, said additional switch when operated serving to break the return circuit lrom the selectin switches of all the department lam s, whi e closing the circuit of the selected epartment lamp independently of its selecting switch, whereby the operation of any other selecting switch is prevented until the system is restored to its normal condition.

11. In an electric indicating and lighting system for indicating the route to be followed in reachin any place or department, the combination with the supply leads for the electric current, of a set of department lamps, a set of route lamps, a set of selecting switches one correspondlng to each department, and means controlled by each of said switches adapted, when the switch is operated, to cause the circuits of the route lamps leading from the starting point to the department corresponding with the particular switch which is operated, to be closed between the su ply leads, without causing the circuits 0 any other route lamps in the system to be closed, a main switch, an electro-magnetic operating means for the same with circuit connections to each of the selecting switches for the de partment lamps whereby the main switch is .closed whenever a selecting switch is closed, and a time-control device adapted after an interval of time to break the circuit of the electro-magnetic operating means for the main switch.

ALFRED BLACKMORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

